The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod yesterday passed a resolution requesting the President for the transfer of ownership of the 17 hectares of land owned by the national government in the Bacolod Domestic Airport property to the local government.

The resolution proposed by Councilors Alex Paglumotan, Roberto Rojas and Wilson Gamboa Jr., was in response to the request of Mayor Evelio Leonardia. In his letter dated Aug. 28, 2008, Leonardia requested the City Council for a resolution to ask the national government to donate the 17.5 hectares out of the 37-hectare airport property to the city in view of the most recent development in which Philippine Airlines president Lucio Tan agreed to the retention of the Bacolod airport.

Tan owns 20 hectares of the 37-hectare airport property.

Leonardia said that if the property is given to the city, many possibilities for growth and expansion will be opened. For one, as part owner of the airport, it can have a more direct participation in its operation, thereby creating income-generating opportunities, he said.

This could also open the possibility of reclaiming the shorelines to construct a seaport and even establish an economic zone, Leonardia said. The runway can also be extended as the need arises, he said.

Leonardia also said, "If all these are pursued, certainly our economic growth, development and prosperity will be enhanced and accelerated. We are talking here about the future of our beloved city and our teamwork therefore is of utmost importance.".

The SP resolution pointed out a precedent to the Mayor's request, citing the case of Cebu City, where the national government turned over the nationally-owned land of the old airport site to the local government, for its own operation and management.

It said Negros Occidental Gov. Joseph Marañon, Vice Gov. Isidro Zayco, together with the city and municipal mayors of the province have expressed their full support to the "call" to retain the operation of the Bacolod City Domestic Airport as a manifestation of solid support to the crusade launched by Leonardia and the Retain the Bacolod Airport Movement, which is supported by the SP through Resolution No. 478, and by the various sectors of the community.*CGS

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